Vehicle Description
1996 Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer
We've talked about Eddie Bauer before, the tennis shop owner from
the 1920's who transitioned from tennis to sport and fishing
tackle, and eventually, earning a patent on a down filled jacket
and creating an outdoor clothing and equipment industry. The
company partnered with Ford for models from 1984 to 2010 and with
the exception of the F150 and one minivan, all other co-branded
vehicles were SUVs.
For consignment, a 1996 Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer edition with a
title verified 155,326 actual miles, in the distinctive two tone
paint scheme. Tall, boxy, and rugged, the full sized Broncos as
they're known are some of the hottest vehicles in the car hobby and
their semi luxurious accommodations, (for the time), now present a
nostalgic package in full analog easiness.
Exterior
This well-maintained 4x4 wears the classic sandwiching two tone of
a Light Saddle over Pacific Green Metallic underscored by a saddle
rocker panel and sidestep. This is the aero nose era Bronco,
characterized by a flat front fascia including wrap around
composite headlights that sit flush with the widely sectioned
grille. Our rig has a plexiglas bug guard up top and a substantial
chrome bumper below which wraps around to become part of the wheel
opening. Cuboid angles continue on the back where the aluminum
trimmed tailgate is a rectangular layer under a rectangle window
and straight chrome bumper, all behind a vinyl covered spare tire.
15-inch forged aluminum wheels were standard for the Bauer and look
great while carrying 265/75R15 tires. The paint and metalwork are
overall in nice condition with imperfections noted such as some
rust at the wheel arches and more where the running boards connect
with the rocker. There's also some surface scratches inside the
door handle, but those will buff out!
Interior
True to form, the interior has held up well and typically belies
the mileage, starting with Ford's plastic molded door panels with
perforated inserts and carpeted kick panels that double as extra
storage. And just so you don't forget about outdoor adventures, a
strip of plastic burl wood trim adorns the door, destined to be
repeated on the dashboard. Medium Mocha leather covers the front
bucket seats with some minimal wear on the driver's side, and the
material is also on the basic rear bench, well padded and designed
with stitched panels, but awfully reminiscent of classic Bronco
rear seat simplicity. Eddie Bauer's signature is embroidered in the
front seat backs indicating a premium trim level and both seats
have power adjustments. A fat leather wrapped steering wheel breaks
up the mocha vibe with black, which continues on the plastic gauge
cluster surround and gauge faces. Back to mocha we go to the right
as the center area is home to an AM/FM/Cassette player over a basic
three knob A/C panel and the two are split by our burl wood trim.
The tan carpet below shows a touch of age but is clean and
continues that trend in the cargo area and lining the tailgate.
Above us, an overhead console is surrounded by a clean, felt covers
the contouring headliner.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, Ford's venerable 5.0 liter EFI V8 rated at 199
horsepower and wearing the telltale dual air intake tube. Behind
it, an E4OD 4-speed automatic which distributes power to 3.55 gears
in front and rear differentials. Power brakes are included and are
front discs and rear drums. The bay is generally clean and this is
a very busy powerplant with hoses and wires and tubes surrounding
the classic engraved intake manifold.
Undercarriage
This is where the mileage often reveals itself and we do have
copious amounts of surface rust underneath, some grease build up in
spots, and oil present on the pan, flywheel cover, and transmission
pan. The bracing tube for the composite running board shows some
deep rust on one side and some advanced surface rust on the other.
Beyond that the underside looks structurally sound and dry. The
single exhaust is intact and flows through a stock style muffler
while suspension consists of radius arms and coil springs and leaf
springs out back.
Drive-Ability
The roomy interior on the 10thfloor is a very nice place to be, a
penthouse view of the plebeians below and a go anywhere attitude is
portrayed by the big boxy front end. We start up the bullet proof
five liter and roll onto the tarmac, our comfortable ride moving
forward with authority, making the most of the 199 horses and
tracking straight. Visibility is good once you get used to looking
through the cavernous space behind you and all functional items on
the truck work as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents
that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
Rain, sleet, shine, or snow may have defined the postal service at
one point, but it could also describe the full sized Ford Broncos,
once ubiquitous, now desirable classics. But this is one you can
drive and enjoy as intended by Ford and also show up to car and
truck events without shame. And if you happen to be a Pennsylvania
buyer, our consignor says he'll transfer the Antique plate to you,
saving you annual registration and marking the truck as something
more than your average utility vehicle, augmenting the Eddie Bauer
name which still commands some street cred.
1FMEU15N8TLB76586
1-USA
F-Ford Motor Company
M-Multi Purpose Vehicle
E-6001 Thru 7000 GVWR
U15-Bronco 4wd Wagon
N-5.0L V8 199hp
8-Check Digit
T-1996
L-Wayne, MI Assy Plant
B76586-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
